Automatic musical instrument.



' No. 638,615. Patented Dec. 5, 1899.

M. S. WRIGHT.

AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

(Application filed Oct. 15, 1898.)

3 Sheets-Shaet E.

(No Model.)

N0. 638,6l5. Patented Dec. 5, I899. M. S. WRIGHT.

AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

(Application filed Oct. 15, 1898.) (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

*5 Q w G I m-lzwes s as; I 1\ :w-Azmc 7 74: a fl M, $6M 62. C2, B wwww/fih N0. 638,6l5. Patented Dec. 5, I899. M. S. WRIGHT.

AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

(Application filed Oct. 15, 1898.)

3 Sheefs-8heat 3.

(No Model.)

UNITED STATES PATENT QEEICE.

MORRIS S. TVRIGHT, OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

SPECIFTCATTON forming part of Letters Patent No. 688,615, dated December1899- Application filed Octoherltl, 1898- Serial No. 698,588. (Nomodel.)

To aLZZ whom it may con-007w;

Be it known that I, MoEEIs S. WEIGHT, of the city and county ofl/VOICGSSGI', in the State of Massachusetts, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in Automatic Musical Instruments; and I dohereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exactdescription thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,forming a part of this specification, and in which Figure 1 represents avertical transverse section through so much of an automatic reedinstrument as is necessary to illustrate my invention, the usual keysand connections also being shown applied thereto in connection with theautomatic mechanism of said instrument. Fig. 2 is an enlarged front Viewof part of the music-box and mechanism for operatingits rolls. Fig. 3 isan enlarged view of part of the vertical section shown in Fig. 1, allthefollowing figures also being upon an enlarged scale. Fig. at is ahorizontal section through part of the secondary channel-board, taken online a, Fig. 3, showing a top View of part of one-of the tone-chambers,its channelboard, and pneumatic cut-off valves. Fig. 5 is a verticallongitudinal section through the secondarychannelboard,taken onlineb,Fig. 3, looking in the direction indicated by the arrow. Fig. 6 is avertical longitudinal section through part of the primary channelboardor tracker-board,taken on line 0, Fig. 3, showing a front view of someof the primarypneumatics beyond. Fig. 7 is a horizontal section throughpart of thesecondary channel-board, taken on line d, Fig. 3, and showinga plan of part of the tracker-board and primary pneumatics. Figs. 8 and0 are vertical longitudinal sections through the parts shown in Fig. 3,taken on lines o and f, respectively, showing front views of portions ofthe instrument, which will be hereinafter described. Figs. 10 and 11 arehorizontal sections taken on linesg h, respectively, Fig. 3, lookingdown and showing the parts beneath in plan view. Fig. 12 is an enlargeddetached described; and Fig. 13

is a central vertical longitudinal section of said parts shown in Fig.12.

My invention relates to reed instruments, and more especially toautomatic reed instruments in which perforated sheet-music is used forproducing the dilferent tones of a tune played thereon. It may alsoinpractice have combined therewith the usual keys and connections foroperating the instrument by hand and may, furthermore, if desired, beconnected, by means of suitable mechanism, with one or more key orstring instruments combined with the automatic part of the instrument.Said connections not constituting a part of this invention, it will beunnecessary to illustrate or describe the same.

The object of my invention is to increase the capacity of the aboveclass of instruments without materially enlarging the same over theirusual size or of widening the perforated sheet-music used thereonoverits usual width.

Said invention consists of certain improve ments in the pneumatic systemwhereby two primary pneumatics provided with a cut-off valve betweenthem maybe operated from one opening and channel in the primarychannelboard and also whereby one reed-valve and reed may be operatedfrom said two primary pneumatics, each of said primary pneumaticsoperatingsaidreed-valveindependently. The purpose of said doublepneumatics and valve device is to enable one reed-valve and its reed tobe operated from two different sizes of openings in the perforatedsheet-music, both admitting airinto one and the same opening in theprimary channel-board and passing through a single channel to saiddouble pneumatics and valve device, the air admitted through the largeopenings in said sheetmusic producing the solo or melody parts of a tuneand that admitted through the smaller openings therein theaccompaniments thereto, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

In order that those skilled in the art to which my invention appertainsmay better understand the nature and purpose thereof, I will now proceedto describe it more in detail with reference to the accompanyingdrawings.

In Fig. l of the drawings I have shown both a music-box A. for producingthe music automatically and keys B for playing said z, esaeis music byhand in connection with my aforesaid improvements, and I reserve theright to use either separately or both together with said improvements.1 also reserve the right to combine such other instruments therewith asare in practice adapted for the purpose of operating in conjunction withthe same and coming within the scope of my invention.

As my invention relates principally to automatic musical instruments, aspreviously stated, Iwill first describe my improvements as beingcombined with the music-box A and its appliances. lVithin said music-boxare arranged the usual rolls C C, over which the perforated sheet-musicD is passed, the same un rolling from one to the other, as usual, overthe mouthpiece E of the primary channelboard E when the instrument isoperated. The mechanism for operating said rolls not constituting a partof my invention, it will be unnecessary to illustrate or describe thesame. Said primary channel-board extends from near the glass front A ofthe music-box to the principal or secondary channelboard F and isprovided with one channel G for each pair of pneumatics H I, saidchannels terminating at the outer end of the primary channel-board inthe openings J at the mouthpiece E. Said pairs of primary pneumatics arein this instance shown arranged transversely of the instrument; but I donot limit myself thereto. For the purpose of economizing in space eachalternate pair of primary pneumatics H I is raised above the level ofthe others, one pair being level with the top of the primarychannel-board and the pair next to it a little above it, and so onthrough the two rows or series, as is shown in the drawings. By thisarrangement I am enabled to place twice the number of pneumatics inabout the usual amount of longitudinal space,and thus not necessitatingany material additional length in the construction of the instrument.

The pneumatics H are operated by the air admitted through the wideopenings K in the sheet-music D and the pneumatics I by that admittedthrough the narrow openings L in said sheetmusic, as will be hereinaftermore fully described. Said pneu matics Hare each connected by thevertical wire stems H with the cut-off or switch valve H for closing andopening the air-outlet- H in the wind-chest M and also with the cut-offor switch valve H for closing and opening the air outlet or vent in thechannel lift of said wind-chest, and the pneumatics I are also connectedin the same Way by the vertical wire stems I with the cut-off or switchvalves 1 1 for closing and opening the air-outlets I' l in thewind-chest N and wind-chest channel N, respectively. Each channel M N isseparately connected with a separate channel 0 O in the principal orsecondary channel-board F, in this instance the channel N connectingwith the channel 0 and the channel M with the channel 0 of each pair.(See Figs. 4, 5, 7, 10

and 11.) Each pair of channels 0 O is in.

turn connected, by means of the bottom and top double angular channels PP in the tonechannel board P, with the space P back of each secondarypneumatic Q in tone-chamber R. Therefore, as will be readily seen, eachpair of primary pneumatics H 1 is supplied with air through a singleopening J and channel G in the primary channelboard and is also eachseparately and independently connected, as aforesaid, with eachsecondary pneumatic Q, in the tone-chamber. The purpose of thisconstruction and arrangement is to admit of making the sheet-music withtwo widths of perforations or openings within the usual space in widthof said sheet-music, and thus doubling the capacity of the instrumentwithout, as previously stated, materially adding to the usual length ofsaid instrument. In order to accomplish this result of operating bothprimary pneumatics of each pair by air admitted through two widths ofopenings in the sheet-music and conducted through a single opening andpassage to both pneumatics, so that one pneumatic will be operated byair admitted through the wide openings in the sheet-music and the otherby air admitted through the narrow ones, I have arranged a cut-off valveS under and between the pneumatics of each pair of said primarypneumaties in a chamber S between the primary channel-board E and ablock T, attached to the under side thereof. The chamber S is connectedby a horizontal opening G with chan nel G, (see Figs. 1 and 6,) by a topvertical open ing G with the pneumatic H, and with a bottom verticalopening G under the inner end of valve S, in turn connected with anangular channel G, connecting with the pneumatic I. The outer end ofsaid valve S is hinged, by means of thin leather or otherwise, to theblock T, and its inner end is arranged to tilt up and down to open andclose the opening G". hen in its normal position, said inner end of thevalve is held elevated above said opening by the weight of pneumatic Hthrough its wire H resting upon and forcing down the outer end thereof,as is shown in Figs. 1 and 3 and by dotted lines in Fig. 13; but whensuilieient air is admitted through the opening in the sheet-music toraise said pneumatic H the inner end of the valve is permitted to dropdown by force of gravity over said opening G to close the same, as isshown by full lines in Fig. 13, and thus cut oit said air from reachingand operating the other pneumatic I, said pneumatic I being operatedonly when insuflicient air is admitted to raise the first pneumatic H.To facilitate said valve closing quickly and tightly over opening G itmay be provided with a weight S or other equivalent means for the samepurpose.

In practice the parts are so constructed and arranged in relation toeach other that when a wide opening in the sheet-music arrives over theopening in the mouthpiece E the first pneumatic H is raised with a quickmovement and the opening G closed to prevent the other pneumatic I beingoperated, what litttle air passes under the valve S being permitted toescape through the vent T and the surplus air under the pneumatic H andin channel G being permitted to escape through the vent T but when anarrow opening in the sheet-music arrives over the opening in themouthpiece E, insufficient air being admitted to lift the firstpneumatic H, the valve S is not operated to close opening G andconsequently said air passes through under pneumatic I and operates itwithout lifting the other pneumatic H.

The above result is obtained by the disk of pneumatic H,which maybetermed the highpressure pneumatic, being made smaller than that ofpneumatic I, which may be termed the low-pressure pneumatic. The reason,therefore, is thatin practice it is found that the smaller the disk isof a diaphragmpneumatic having an extremely-flexible covering the lesspower it has for exerting a pressure to operate the wind-chest valves,and vice versa. Therefore pneumatic H, being the smaller of the two ofeach pair, will not rise as quickly or forcibly as pneumatic I when theair-pressu re is applied to the under side thereof. By reference toFigs. 1 and 3 of the drawings it will be observed that the wind-chestvalves H H, which are operated by the small or high-pressure pneumaticH, are larger than the wind-chest valves 1 I operated by the larger orlow-pressure pneumatics 1. Consequently the pneumatic having the leastpowerin this instance pneumatic H--has' the most work to do and requiresa greater amount of air to operate it. Therefore air is admitted theretothrough the large holes in the sheet-music, while, on the other hand,the pneumatic I, having a larger disk than pneumatic H and smallerwindchestvalves than said pneumatic H, as aforesaid, is operated by airadmitted through the small openings in said sheetanusic. In saidconstruction and operation of the pneumatics and their wind-chest valvesthe vent-openings T T constitute a very essential feature and must be soproportioned to the narrow and wide openings in the sheet-music as topermit the air-pressure in the channels to lift only its respectivepneumatic without raising the other-as, for instance, the opening in theVent T must be so proportioned to the narrow perforations I in thesheet-music that it never permits the pressure in the channel G to reacha lifting power sufficient to elevate pneumatic H.

Each double channel P P has an outlet at the edge of the tone-channelboard P, and over said openings are secured the flexible cut-offpneumatic valves V, made of leather or other flexible material. Oversaid flexible valves V are in turn arranged the long spring cut-ofivalves WV, extending the whole length of each tone-channel board andmechanically operated by the stops of the instrument, as usual, to openand close the connection between the space back of the tone-chamberpneumatics Q and the other channels and chambers between the same andthe cut-off valves H H and 1 1 It will be understood that in practicethe music-box A, wind-chests M N, and tone chambers R are all suppliedwith a constant supply of air under equal pressure from the usualbellows or other source of supply during the operation of theinstrument. Consequently when the wind-chest valves H I and tone-chambervalves WV are open an equilibrium of the air-pressure through thevarious passages being maintained at each side of the secondarypneumatics Q, the latter are held stationary and the reeds X are notoperated until one of the pneumatics II or I is operated by one of theopenings in the sheetmusic coming over one of the openings in themouthpiece E. The air thereby admitted then causes one of saidpneumatics to be lifted and its valve H or I to be forced up to closethe wind-chest opening and its valve H or I to also be raised to openthe vent H or 1 thus permitting the air in the various channels back ofsaid secondary pneumatic Q to escape and allowing the compressed air inthe tone-chamber to force them back, thereby in turn causing thereed-valve Y to be drawn back and opened by means of the wire connectionY and allowing the air to escape therethrough and operate its reed X inreed-board X.

The tone-chambers R, with the exception of having the top and bottomdouble channels P P and the double cut-off valves thereof previouslydescribed, are similar to those shown and described in my United StatesPatent No. 509,506, dated November 2c, 1893, for improvements in reed orpipe organs, said tonechambers being made removable from the secondarychannel-board F and each connected with a separate stop for each valve,or, in other words, each separate tone-chamber being provided with twoseparate stops instead of one, as usual. The wind-chests are also inthis instance made removable and similar to the one shown in said UnitedStates patent, being each provided with a double cut-off or switchvalve, said cut-off or switch valves being shown connected with the keymechanism in said patent and with the vertical wire stems of the primarypneumatics in the present case, as previously described.

'With the foregoing exceptions no claim to novelty is claimed for thetone-chambers and wind-chests, except in combination with thedouble-primary-pneumatic system supplied with air through one openingand channel, as hereinbefore described, and pointed outin the claims.

Having described my improvements in detail, the operation of aninstrument embodying the same may be briefly summed up as follows:Assuming that the air-pressure is ap- -ICO IIO

plied, the music-rolls in operation,with the perforated sheet-musicpassing over the mouthpiece E, and the proper stops are drawn to openthe proper cut-off valves IV, when a wide opening in said sheet-musicarrives over its opening J in said mouthpiece air being admitted thereinpasses through the single passage or channel in the primarychannel-board and striking the under side of its pneumatic I-I lifts it,and at the same time closing the valve leading to the second pneumatic Iprevents the operation thereof. Said. pneumatic H being thus liftedraises the cut-off valves H and H thereby closing the wind-chest openingH and opening the vent H This permits the secondary pneumatic Q to bedepressed or forced back by the airpressure in the tone-chamber, thereed-valve to be opened, and the air to pass through and operate reed X,the air forced back by said depression of secondary pneumatic Q passingout through said vent H In playing a tune several wide openings are ofcourse liable to come in succession over the same opening in themouthpiece E in producing the solo or melody parts of said tune; butassuming that a narrow opening now follows the wide one to produce theaccompaniment to said solo or melody parts, a smaller volume of airbeing forced through the channel in the primary channel-board andinsufficient in power to raise the first pneumatic H of the pair, itpasses along without raising said pneumatic or closing the valve S andstriking under the second pneumatic I raises it, thereby operatingthrough similar connections as those for pneumatic H, as previouslydescribed, the same secondary pneumatic Q, and in consequence the samereed is operated as was operated by the other primary pneumatic of saidpair.

Although I have shown and described the instrument as being constructedwith two primary pneumatics H I in each set or pair and the sheet-musicwith two sizes of openings, it is obvious that it may in practice bemade and adapted for three or more primary pneumatics and sizes ofopenings without departing from the principle of my invention, and Itherefore do not limit myself to the number herein shown and described.I also reserve the right in practice of operating the instrument byair-suction instead of airpressure, as herein described. Both areapplicable to my invention; but the pressure system is preferable.

By the foregoing construction of employing high and low pressurepneumatics operated from a single opening and channel in the primarychannel-board the high-pressure pneumatic may be connected with one kindof instrument and the low-pressure pneumatic with another kind ofinstrument. Therefore struments.

low pressure pneumatics may be connected with and played from the usualkeys, as shown in the drawings, as well as automatically, ashereinbefore described. Only one bank of keys B and connections are inthis instance shown in the drawings; but it is obvious that two or morebanks and their connections might be used, according to the number ofpneumatics employed in each transverse set. Said key connection is madeby extending the primary channel-board G down,as shown at G andconnected with the usual wind-chest and valve device Z. As the keyconnections with said wind-chest are of old construction and wellunderstood, the illustration thereof in Fig. 1 will be sufficient tofully explain the same withoutfurther description. The mechanism forconnecting the stops Z Z with the valves W is alsoold and wellunderstood, and as the same constitutes no part of my invention it isdeemed unnecessary to illustrate or describe the same.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

l. Perforated sheet-music for automatic musical instruments, consistingof a single sheet of suitable material, having different widths, sizesand shapes of openings formed therein according to the tune to beplayed, in combination with the primary channel- -board havin an oeninand channel for each pair of primary pneumatics; the series of primarypneumatics, mounted on said channel-board; a cut-off valve, arrangedbetween the pneumatics of each pair; a double windchest, provided withseparate channels and double, cut-off or switch valves, two of each foreach pair of primary pneumatics, and said valves, separately connectedwith said primary pneum atics; a secondary channel-board, provided withtwo channels for each pair of wind -chest channels, each separatelyconnected with said wind-chest channels, and a tone-chamber, containinga series of separate, secondary pneumatics and reed-valves, one of eachfor each primary channel and reed, substantially as and for the purposeset forth.

2. In a reed instrument, the primary channel-board, provided with oneopening and channel for each pair of primary pneumatics, and havingmounted thereon the music-box and its appliances for playing theinstrument automatically, also the keys and connections for playing saidinstrument by hand; in combination with the series of primarypneumatics, arranged in pairs on said primary channel-board; a cut-offvalve, arranged between the pneumatics of each pair; a doublewind-chest, provided with separate channels and double, cut-off orswitch valves, two of each for each pair of primary pneumatics, and saidvalves separately connected with said primary pneumatics; a secondarychannelboard, provided with two channels for each pair of wind-chestchannels, each separately connected with said wind-chest channels, and

IIO

a tone-chamber, containing a series of separate, secondary pneumaticsand reed-valves, one of each for each primary channel and reed, thechannel-board of said tone-chamber being also provided with two, doublechannels and cut-off valves for each secondary pneumatic, controlled bytwo stops for each tone-chamber, substantially as and for the purposeset forth.

3. In a reed instrument, the primary channel-board, provided with oneopening and channel for each pair of primary pneumatics, and havingmounted thereon the music-box and its appliances for playing theinstrument automatically; in combination with the series of primarypneumatics, arranged in pairs on said primary channel-board; a cut-offvalve, arranged between the pneumatics of each pair; a doublewind-chest, provided with separate channels and double cut-off or switchvalves, two of each for each pair of primary pneumatics, and said valvesseparately connected with said primary pneumatics; a secondary channelboard, provided with two channels for each pair of wind chest channels,each separately connected with said wind-chestchannels,andato11e-cl1amber,containing a series of separate, secondarypneumatics and reed-valves, one of each for each primary channel andreed, the channel-board of said tone-chamberbeing also provided with twodouble channels and cut-01f valves for each secondary pneumatic,controlled by two stops for each tone-chamber, substantially as and forthe purpose set forth.

4. In a reed instrument, the primary channel-board, provided with oneopening and channel for each pair of primary pneumatics; the series ofprimary pneumatics, mounted on said channel-board and arranged in pairs,thereon, and a cut-off Valve,arranged between the pneumatics of eachpair; in combination with a double wind-chest, provided with separatechannels and double cut-off or switch valves, two of each for each pairof primary pneumatics, and said valves separately connected with saidprimary pneumatics; a secondary channel board, provided with twochannels for each pair of wind-chest channels, each separately connectedwith said windchest channels, and a tone-chamber, containing a series ofseparate,secondary pneumatics and reed-valves, one of each for eachprimary channel and reed, the channel-board of said tone-chamber beingalso provided with two, double channels and cut-off valves for eachsecondary pneumatic, controlled by two stops, for each tone-chamber,substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

5. In a reed instrument, the primary channel-board, provided with oneopening and channel for each pair of primary pneumatics; a secondarychannel-board and a double windchest, each provided with double,connectingchannels, and said wind chest with two, double, cut-off orswitch valves for each pair of primary pneumatics, said valves beingc0nnected, one with each pneumatic of each pair; in combination with theseries of primary pneumatics, arranged in pairs on said primarychannel-board, and a cut-off valve arranged between the pneumatics ofeach pair, substantially as andfor the purpose set forth.

(3. In a musical instrument, the combination of the primarychannel-board, having one channel for each pair of primary pneumatics;with the series of primary pneumatics, arranged in pairs on said primarychannelboard,-and a cut-off valve, arranged between the pneumatics ofeach pair, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

MORRIS s. WRIGHT.

lVitnesses:

A. A. BARKER, W. B. NoURsE.

